Cultural Archive

വയനാട്ടിലെ പണിയ സമുദായം ഇപ്പിമല ഉത്ഭവ ഐതിഹ്യത്തിലും ആട്ടാളിപ്പാട്ടിലൂടെ കൈമാറ്റം ചെയ്യപ്പെട്ട വാമൊഴി പാരമ്പര്യത്തിലും അധിഷ്ഠിതമാണ്. ചെമ്മി, കോയ്മ ഭരണസംവിധാനം, വള്ളിയൂർക്കാവിലെ നിപ്പുപണം അടിമത്ത ചരിത്രം, പ്രകൃതിയാരാധന, സവിശേഷമായ മരണാനന്തര-വിവാഹ ആചാരങ്ങൾ എന്നിവ ഇവരുടെ സംസ്കാരത്തിന്റെ മുഖമുദ്രകളാണ്. പുതിയ തലമുറയുടെ വിദ്യാഭ്യാസം, സ്ഥിരമായ തൊഴിൽ, ഗോത്രഭാഷാ സംരക്ഷണം എന്നിവയിലൂടെ സമുദായത്തിന്റെ പുരോഗതി സാധ്യമാക്കാമെന്ന് ചർച്ച അടിവരയിടുന്നു. Hear from members of the Paniya community

In this Vaayo Talk, Dr. P. Ranjith explores the historical, cultural, and social dimensions of Onam, one of Kerala's most significant festivals. Drawing from history, folklore, literature, and contemporary interpretations, he reflects on the multiple narratives of Onam and the diverse ways in which it has been understood and celebrated across communities. The talk examines questions of memory, identity, tradition, and cultural change, inviting viewers to look beyond familiar

A journey through the cultural history of Nila river

How did a young Muslim boy grow fascinated with Kerala’s Jewish history? Meet Thoufeek Zakriya, a calligrapher, chef, researcher and one of the few people to have spent over two decades closely documenting the Jewish heritage of Kerala. What began as a childhood curiosity grew into a lifelong journey of learning Hebrew, studying Jewish manuscripts and inscriptions, and recording the stories, memories and traditions of the Jewish communities that once flourished along the Mala

Legend places the arrival of Christianity in Kerala in 52 CE. While that date is much debated, for well over a millennium now, Kerala has been home to a distinct Christian community known as the Nasranis or Syrian Christians. Many books and accounts exist on their religious history. But relatively less is known of the social, cultural, and political position of these Malayali Christians in pre-colonial Kerala. In Episode 7 of Saga, Manu S Pillai sits down with Pallikonam Raje

The maharajahs of Travancore are well placed in popular imagination, with their links to the Sri Padmanabhaswamy Temple. However, the system of succession followed in their family was unusual. For no ruler could be succeeded by his son, and the queen was not the ruler's wife but his sister. As a result, history has focussed more on the royal sisters (Ranis), while the wives (Ammachis) and children (Tampis) of the maharajahs have faded from the record. In Episode 6 of Saga, Ma

Episode 4 of the SAGA series explores the story of Sangamagrama Madhava, the 14th–15th century mathematical genius whose groundbreaking work laid the foundations for what would later become known as the Kerala School of Mathematics. Yet, remarkably, his most celebrated mathematical text remains undiscovered. Join Manu S Pillai in conversation with Litty Chacko, a Malayalam teacher who has spent over 25 years chasing Madhava's legacy. As they decode how mathematics hid inside

In Kerala, Mannan community comes together each year to celebrate Kalaavoottu — also known as Kalaayoottu — a vibrant festival that blends age-old traditions, traditional music, dance, and rituals. Held during the Malayalam months of Makaram and Kumbham, this celebration is much more than just a festival — it’s a time of remembrance, gratitude, and renewal. The name Kalaavoottu is derived from the words Kaalam (meaning a year or season) and Oottu (meaning feast), it symbolize

May 11, 2025 — Mazhuvadi, Kanjikuzhi In the serene mountain valley of Mazhuvadi, Idukki district, a remarkable gathering unfolded on 11th May 2025. Elders from the Mannan community came together in a rare participatory dialogue — an event that bridged memory, oral tradition, and collective inquiry. At the forefront of the gathering were Ayyapan, Rajappan & Kumaran, senior members from the Mannan community, who expressed joy at the opportunity to rekindle internal dialogue and